U.S. patent application number 15/650161 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-02 for replenishment container and inkjet recording device comprising same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro HARADA, Takehiko MATSUSHITA, Akira MIYAO, Naomichi YOSHIDA.
Application Number | 20170313089 15/650161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53198536 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170313089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUSHITA; Takehiko ; et
al. |
November 2, 2017 |
Replenishment Container and Inkjet Recording Device Comprising
Same
Abstract
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a
replenishment container and an inkjet recording device that are
capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during ink or
solvent replenishing. The replenishment container comprises a
storage member having an opening formed therein and having a
storage chamber that stores ink or solvent, a stopper member that
seals the opening of the storage member, and a lid member that
covers the stopper member. The replenishment container is
characterized by: comprising a seal member that has a throughhole
between the stopper member and the lid member; the lid member
having a throughhole that is opened concentrically with the
throughhole of the seal member; and the inner diameter of part or
all of the throughhole in the seal member being smaller than the
inner diameter of the throughhole in the lid member.
Inventors: |
MATSUSHITA; Takehiko;
(Tokyo, JP) ; YOSHIDA; Naomichi; (Tokyo, JP)
; MIYAO; Akira; (Tokyo, JP) ; HARADA;
Nobuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
53198536 |
Appl. No.: |
15/650161 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14914805 |
Feb 26, 2016 |
9738079 |
|
|
PCT/JP2013/082120 |
Nov 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
15650161 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 2/17506 20130101;
B41J 2002/1853 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B41J 2/175 20130101;
B41J 2/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41J 2/175 20060101
B41J002/175; B41J 2/18 20060101 B41J002/18; B65D 51/20 20060101
B65D051/20; B41J 2/175 20060101 B41J002/175 |
Claims
1. A replenishment container comprising: a storage member
comprising a storage chamber that stores ink or a solvent and
comprising an opening formed therein; a stopper member configured
to seal the opening of the storage member; and a lid member
configured to cover the stopper member, wherein the replenishment
container comprises a seal member that has a through hole between
the stopper member and the lid member, the lid member comprises a
through hole formed concentrically with the through hole of the
seal member and an inner diameter of part or a whole of the through
hole of the seal member is smaller than an inner diameter of the
through hole of the lid member, and further comprising an absorbing
member between the seal member and the lid member, the absorbing
member having a through hole formed concentrically with a through
hole provided in the seal member and the lid member.
2. The replenishment container according to claim 1, wherein the
seal member is an elastic body.
3. The replenishment container according to claim 1, wherein the
inner diameter of the through hole of the absorbing member is
smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole of the lid
member.
4. The replenishment container according to claim 3, wherein a gap
is provided between the seal member and the absorbing member.
5. The replenishment container according to claim 4, wherein a
protrusion is provided at one end portion of the seal member and
the protrusion is in contact with the absorbing member.
6. The replenishment container according to claim 1, wherein the
stopper member is provided so as to move toward a bottom surface
direction of the storage portion.
7. The replenishment container according to claim 1, wherein the
stopper member is used as a first stopper member, a through hole is
provided at a central part of the first stopper member, the through
hole is provided with a T-figured second stopper member and a
spring is provided between the first stopper member and the second
stopper member.
8. An inkjet recording device comprising the replenishment
container according to claim 1.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/914,805, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, the priority of which is claimed,
which, on Feb. 26, 2016, entered the U.S. national phase of
international application PCT/JP2013/082120, filed Nov. 29, 2013,
the entire disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by
reference, the priority of which is also claimed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a replenishment container
and an inkjet recording device provided with the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A background art in the present technical field is Patent
Literature 1 (JP-A-9-156120). This publication describes "an
engaging member 31 engages with an upper opening 30 of an ink
container 11. An ink replenishment port 36 of an ink replenishment
container 35 includes a screw 37 on an outer circumferential
portion thereof and a spring plug is press-fitted into an opening
thereof. The spring plug is constructed of a body 38, a plug 41 and
a spring 42, the body 38 is provided with an ink outlet 39 at the
center thereof and a ring-shaped protrusion 40 is formed
therearound. The spring 42 is built into the body 38 in a
compressed state, urging the plug 41 toward the protrusion 40. The
plug 41 includes a plurality of grooves 43 forming passages of air
and ink when pushed up. The engaging member 31 includes a screw
groove 32 that receives the screw 37 of the ink replenishment port
36 formed on the inner surface, four ink inlets 34 on the base
plate and is provided at the center with a butting portion 33
against which the spring plug 41 butts." (See Abstract.)
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] PATENT LITERATURE 1: JP-A-9-156120
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] Patent Literature 1 describes that the above-described
configuration is adopted for the purpose of providing an inkjet
recording device that prevents ink from scattering or spilling out
when an ink container is replenished with the ink from an ink
replenishment container.
[0006] However, in the present configuration, ink adheres to the
spring plug of the ink replenishment container during ink
replenishment and the spring plug is exposed to outside the ink
replenishment container when the ink replenishment container is
removed, and therefore the ink remaining in the spring plug may
drop and cause staining by ink.
[0007] In consideration of the above-described problems, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a replenishment
container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during
replenishment of the ink or solvent.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In order to solve the above-described problems, for example,
the configuration described in the scope of claims is adopted.
[0009] The present application includes a plurality of means for
solving the above-described problems, and one such example is a
replenishment container including a storage member including a
storage chamber that stores ink or a solvent and including an
opening formed therein, a stopper member that seals the opening of
the storage member and a lid member that covers the seal member,
the replenishment container including a seal member that has a
through hole between the stopper member and the lid member, the lid
member including a through hole formed concentrically with the
through hole of the seal member and an inner diameter of part or a
whole of the through hole of the seal member being smaller than an
inner diameter of the through hole of the lid member.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to
provide a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device
provided with the same capable of reducing staining by ink or a
solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall
structure of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment
1.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed
structure of a container connection section of the ink
replenishment container according to Embodiment 1.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a general view illustrating an inkjet recording
device mounted with the replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of actual use of
the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment
container according to Embodiment 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of
the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment
container according to Embodiment 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a system diagram of an ink circulation system of
the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment
container according to Embodiment 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a liquid
level control flow of an ink sub container in the inkjet recording
device mounted with the replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an outline view of an ink circulation area of the
inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container
according to Embodiment 1.
[0019] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of
the stopper member of the ink replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1.
[0020] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating another example of the
shape of the stopper member of the ink replenishment container
according to Embodiment 1.
[0021] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of
the lid member of the ink replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1.
[0022] FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating another example of the
shape of the lid member of the ink replenishment container
according to Embodiment 1.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of
the seal member of the ink replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1.
[0024] FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape
of an absorbing member of the ink replenishment container according
to Embodiment 1.
[0025] FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another example of the
shape of the absorbing member of the ink replenishment container
according to Embodiment 1.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure
of an ink sub container of the inkjet recording device mounted with
the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1.
[0027] FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of overall appearance
illustrating the ink replenishment container according to
Embodiment 1 connected with the ink sub container.
[0028] FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view illustrating details of
the area of connection between the ink replenishment container
according to Embodiment 1 and the ink sub container.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of
a state in the middle of connection between the ink replenishment
container according to Embodiment 1 and the ink sub container.
[0030] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure
of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 2.
[0031] FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink
replenishment container according to Embodiment 2 connected with an
ink sub container.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure
of a port of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment
3.
[0033] FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure
of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 4.
[0034] FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink
replenishment container according to Embodiment 4 connected with an
ink sub container.
[0035] FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure
of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 5.
[0036] FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink
replenishment container according to Embodiment 5 connected with an
ink sub container.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described using examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the following
embodiments.
Embodiment 1
[0038] FIG. 2 is an overall diagram illustrating an inkjet
recording device 100 related to a replenishment container according
to the present embodiment. The inkjet recording device 100 is
provided with a body 1 including an operation display section 3
provided outside thereof and an ink discharge head 2, and the body
1 and the ink discharge head 2 are connected together via a conduit
4. The body 1 is provided with a state display lamp 5 which can
display an operation state of the inkjet recording device 100, for
example, a power conduction state, printability state, alarm state
or abnormal state by means of lighting up. The inkjet recording
device 100 is provided with a maintenance door 6 and the user can
perform maintenance such as ink replenishment by opening the
maintenance door 6.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of actual use of the inkjet
recording device 100. The inkjet recording device 100 is installed,
for example, on a production line in a factory where food, beverage
or the like is produced, the body 1 is installed at a position
where the user can operate it, and the ink discharge head 2 is
installed at a position where it can approach a printing target 13
being conveyed on the production line such as a belt conveyor
15.
[0040] An encoder 16 that outputs a signal corresponding to a
conveying speed to the inkjet recording device 100 to perform
printing with the same width irrespective of the conveying speed on
the production line such as the belt conveyor 15 and a printing
sensor 17 that outputs a signal for detecting the printing target
13 and instructing the inkjet recording device 100 to print it are
set, and are respectively connected to a control section 200, which
is not shown, in the body 1.
[0041] The control section 200 controls the amount of charging and
timing of charging with respect to ink particles 10 which are
discharged from a nozzle 8 according to signals from the encoder 16
and the printing sensor 17, and causes the ink particles 10 charged
and deflected while the printing target 13 is passing through the
vicinity of the ink discharge head 2 to adhere to the printing
target 13 to perform printing.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a control configuration of the inkjet
recording device 100. The control configuration includes a ROM 102
that stores a program and data necessary for an MPU 101 that has a
calculation function and control the whole inkjet recording device
to operate via a bus 120, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores data
necessary during execution of the program, an input device 104 that
inputs printing contents, set values or the like and a display
device 105 that displays the contents inputted by the input device
104 and a state or the like.
[0043] The control configuration also includes connections to an
excitation voltage generation circuit 111 that generates an
excitation voltage to be given to an excitation element 152
attached to a nozzle 151 inside the ink discharge head 2, a
charging voltage generation circuit 112 that generates a charging
voltage to be given to a charging electrode 153 to give charge to
ink particles 161 discharged from the nozzle 151, a deflection
voltage generation circuit 113 that generates a deflection voltage
to be given to a deflection electrode 154, an electromagnetic valve
control circuit 114 that controls an electromagnetic valve that
opens/closes a flow of ink or a solvent, a pump control circuit 115
that controls a pump that gives pressure to the ink, and a liquid
level detection circuit 116 that detects liquid levels of an ink
container 201, an ink sub container 202 and a solvent sub container
203.
[0044] The ink container, the ink sub container and the solvent sub
container will be described later.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a system diagram of an ink circulation
system of the inkjet recording device 100. The body 1 is internally
provided with the ink container 201 that stores ink to be supplied
to the nozzle 151 or recollects and re-stores the ink supplied to
the nozzle but not used for printing, the ink sub container 202
that stores ink to be replenished to the ink container 201, the
solvent sub container 203 that stores a solvent used to dilute ink
or clean the path, pumps 211 to 214 to provide pressure to the ink
or solvent, electromagnetic valves 221 to 228 that open/close the
path of the ink or solvent, a filter 231 that collects dirt in the
ink, a decompression valve 232 that reduces the pressure of the ink
increased by the pump 211 and adjusts it to a necessary pressure, a
pressure gauge 233 that measures the pressure of the ink, and a
viscosity meter 234 that measures viscosity of the ink. The ink
discharge head 2 is provided with the nozzle 151, a three-way
electromagnetic valve 229 that closes or opens either of the two
paths on an IN side to communicate with the path on an OUT side and
a gutter 241 that collects the ink discharged from the nozzle but
not used for printing.
[0046] An ink replenishment container 301 and a solvent
replenishment container 302 are connected to the ink sub container
202 and the solvent sub container 203 respectively. Inks in the ink
sub container 202 and the solvent sub container 203 are suctioned
and press-fed by the pump 211 and the pump 214 respectively, and
replenished to the ink container 201 through the paths of the ink
and solvent. Though not shown, it is also possible to link to the
ink sub container 202, the path connected to the pump 212, the pump
213 and the viscosity meter 234 which are connected to the ink
container 201, discard the path from the ink container 201 to the
electromagnetic valve 222 and the outside of the body 1, and
integrate the ink container 201 and the ink sub container 202.
[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates an outline of an ink circulation area 251
of the inkjet recording device 100. The ink circulation area 251
becomes accessible by opening the maintenance door 6. The ink
circulation area 251 is provided with an ink circulation unit 261
in which the pumps 211 to 214 and the electromagnetic valves 221 to
228 are unitized, the ink sub container 202 and the solvent sub
container 203, and although these components are not shown, they
are fixed by screws or the like.
[0048] As described above, the ink replenishment container 301 and
the solvent replenishment container 302 are connected to the ink
sub container 202 and the solvent sub container 203 respectively,
and the ink replenishment container 301 and the solvent
replenishment container 302 can be attached/detached or replaced by
the user.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of the ink replenishment
container 301 which is the present embodiment. Note that since the
ink replenishment container and the solvent replenishment container
have similar structures, only the ink replenishment container will
be described below, and description of the solvent replenishment
container will be omitted.
[0050] FIG. 1(a) shows an overall structure and FIG. 1(b) shows an
enlarged view of the distal end portion of the ink replenishment
container 301. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the ink replenishment
container 301 is provided with a storage member 311, a stopper
member 312, a first lid member 313, a seal member 314, a liquid
absorbing member 315 and a second lid member 316.
[0051] As examples of the material of the ink replenishment
container 301, high density polyethylene resin (HDPE), low density
polyethylene resin (LDPE) or polypropylene resin (PP) is used for
the storage member 311, the first lid member 313 and the second lid
member 316, and low density polyethylene resin (LDPE) or linear low
density polyethylene resin (LLDPE) is used for the stopper member
312.
[0052] In addition, isobutylene-isoprene rubber or
ethylene-propylene rubber which is an elastic body is used for the
seal member 314, and polyolefin-based foamed body with continuous
bubbles or polyolefin non-woven fabric cloth is used for the liquid
absorbing member 315. Note that the above-described materials are
suitable for use in the present embodiment, but other materials may
also be used.
[0053] Describing a detailed structure of the ink replenishment
container 301, the storage member 311 has a storage chamber 321 of
a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a distal end portion 322 of
a wall surface that extends from one end portion of the storage
chamber 321 has a cylindrical shape and has an open end face.
[0054] Furthermore, the outer circumferential rim of the distal end
portion 322 is threaded and the wall surface that connects the
distal end portion 322 and the storage chamber 321 is tilted toward
the inside of the storage member 311.
[0055] The stopper member 312 is attached to the opening of this
distal end portion 322 so as to be inserted into the storage member
311. The stopper member 312 is provided with a cylindrical portion
331, a flange portion 332 and a base portion 333, the flange
portion 332 being formed at an end portion of the cylindrical
portion 331, and the stopper member 312 being attached, with this
flange portion 332 locked at the opening end portion of the distal
end portion 322 of the storage member 311.
[0056] With this configuration, an outside surface of the
cylindrical portion 331 is continuously in tight contact with an
inside surface of the distal end portion 322 of the storage member
along the circumference, secures sealability and the flange portion
332 is continuously in tight contact with an end face of the distal
end portion 322 of the storage member along the circumference,
secures sealability, and provides a double sealing structure, which
is a structure that prevents leakage of the liquid.
[0057] The base portion 333 of the stopper member 312 includes a
ring-shaped thin wall portion 341 which has a smaller thickness
than the surrounding area. In the present embodiment, when the ink
replenishment container 301 is connected to the ink sub container
202 on the main unit side, part of the base portion 333 of the
stopper member 312 of the ink replenishment container 301 is
configured to be broken through by a protrusion of the connection
portion provided in the ink sub container 202. This thin wall
portion 341 is intended to be broken through by a small operation
force when ink is replenished and the thickness of the thin wall
portion is preferably on the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. FIG. 8 shows
an example of the shape of the stopper member 312, FIG. 8(a)
illustrating the thin wall portion 341 which is formed into a
continuous ring shape and FIG. 8(b) illustrating the thin wall
portion 341 which is intermittently formed.
[0058] Next, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the first lid member 313
includes a cylindrical portion 351 and a base portion 352, the
inside surface of the cylindrical portion 351 is threaded to engage
with and to be fixed to the thread formed at the distal end portion
322 of the storage member 311.
[0059] The end face portion 352 of the first lid member includes a
through hole 353 and the through hole 353 of the lid member is
disposed concentrically with the ring-shaped thin wall portion 341
of the stopper member 312. FIG. 9 shows an example of the shape of
the lid member 313, FIG. 9(a) illustrating the through hole 353
formed into a circular shape and FIG. 9(b) illustrating the through
hole 353 formed of portions 355 along a circle 354 and concave
portions 356 peripheral thereto.
[0060] Furthermore, the base portion 333 of the stopper member 312
is provided with the seal member 314 along the peripheral rim of
the base portion 333. The seal member 314 is cylindrical and
includes a through hole 361, the through hole 361 of the seal
member 314 being provided with two ring-shaped protrusions 362 and
363 on the inside surface thereof, and the ring-shaped protrusions
362 and 363 being formed concentrically with the through hole 361
and disposed concentrically with the through hole 353 of the first
lid member 313.
[0061] When, for example, the cylindrical member that moves in an
axial direction concentrically with the ring-shaped protrusions in
tight contact with the protrusions concerned moves while
compressing the seal member 314, the ring-shaped protrusions on the
inside surface of the seal member 314 have an effect of securing
sealability by a surface pressure of the seal member 314 that
locally increases at the ring-shaped protrusions, preventing an
unnecessarily high surface pressure from being generated except in
the ring-shaped protrusions and reducing a frictional force
generated. Note that the number of ring-shaped protrusions is not
limited to two, but may be one or three or more, or may not be
provided with any protrusions if only sealability is secured.
[0062] Two ring-shaped protrusions 364 and 365 are formed on the
outside surface of the seal member 314, and the ring-shaped
protrusions 364 and 365 are continuously in tight contact with the
inside surface of the cylindrical portion 331 of the stopper member
and along the inner circumference and thereby secure
sealability.
[0063] Here, the number of the ring-shaped protrusions on the
outside surface is not limited to two, but may be one or three or
more, or without any protrusion, the outside surface of the seal
member may be continuously in contact with the inside surface of
the stopper member and along the circumference. Furthermore, when
the ink replenishment container 301 is not connected to an adapter
to be connected to the ink replenishment container 301, sealability
between the ring-shaped protrusions 364 and 365 on the outside
surface of the seal member and the inside surface of the
cylindrical portion 331 of the stopper member is unnecessary, these
portions may not be in tight contact with each other or the seal
member 314 may be deformed so as to be in tight contact with each
other when the ink replenishment container 301 is connected to the
adapter.
[0064] Inner diameters 372 and 373 of the ring-shaped protrusions
362 and 363 of the inside surface of the seal member 314 are
smaller than an inner diameter 371 of the through hole 353 of the
lid member. When cylindrical member as a cartridge connection
portion of the ink sub container on the body side having an outer
diameter which is smaller than but substantially equal to the inner
diameter of the through hole 353 of the lid member is inserted
concentrically through the through hole 353 of the lid member, this
causes the ring-shaped protrusions 362 and 363 on the inside
surface of the seal member 314 to be continuously in tight contact
with the outside surface of the cylindrical member on the
circumference, making it possible to secure sealability at the
portions concerned.
[0065] The cylindrical member has a shape provided for an adapter
to be connected to the ink replenishment container 301 and the
adapter will be described later. FIG. 10 shows an example of the
seal member 314, and the seal member may be ring-shaped or
O-ring-shaped.
[0066] Next, the absorbing member 315 will be described. As an
example of the material of the absorbing member 315, a polyolefin
foamed body with continuous bubbles or a polyolefin non-woven
fabric cloth is used as described above. Whatever is the material,
the absorbing member 315 includes a gap which is continuous from
the outer surface of the absorbing member 315 to the inside and a
liquid can be absorbed into the gap.
[0067] The absorbing member 315 also includes a through hole 381
and the through hole 381 of the absorbing member is disposed
concentrically with the through hole 353 of the lid member. As a
method of fixing the absorbing member 315, for example, the
absorbing member 315 and the seal member 314 are adhered and fixed
to each other using a double-sided adhesive tape or an
adhesive.
[0068] FIG. 11 shows an example of the shape of the absorbing
member 315, FIG. 11(a) illustrating the through hole 381 formed in
a circular shape and FIG. 11(b) illustrating the through hole 381
formed of the portion 383 along a circle 382 and concave portions
384 peripheral thereto.
[0069] Next, the second lid member 316 will be described. As shown
in FIG. 1, the second lid member 316 has a shape including a
cylindrical portion 391 and a base portion 392 as an example, and
is disposed so as to cover the through hole 353 of the lid member
313, thus preventing the stopper member 312, the seal member 314 or
the absorbing member 315 from being damaged by mistake or
preventing dirt from entering from outside and adhering when the
ink replenishment container 301 is handled or stored.
[0070] The inside surface of the peripheral rim of the opening of
the cylindrical portion 391 of the second lid member is provided
with a ring-shaped protrusion 393, which engages with and is fixed
to the lid member 313. This engagement is disengaged when the user
manually pulls the second lid member in a direction of
disengagement, and the ink replenishment container 301 is connected
to the adapter with the second lid member 316 removed.
[0071] The second lid member 316 can be manually engaged with the
lid member 313 and the second lid member 316 can be engaged with a
used ink replenishment container. Provision of the second lid
member 316 prevents a small amount of ink remaining in the used ink
replenishment container from scattering outside due to impact or
the like during handling or prevents smell of the ink inside from
leaking outside.
[0072] Another example of the second lid member is a label, which
is not shown, and may be pasted to the lid member 313 by covering
the through hole 353. Note that the structure shown in FIG. 1 and
the aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 1 are applicable to the
solvent replenishment container 302 as well.
[0073] As described above, according to the ink or solvent
replenishment container of the present embodiment, it is possible
to provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining
by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent.
[0074] Next, the structure of the ink sub container 202 of the
inkjet recording device 100 to which the ink replenishment
container of the present embodiment is connected will be described
using FIG. 12. A storage member 501 of the ink sub container
includes a storage portion 511, a replenishment port 512 and a
sensor port 513, and an adapter 502 is fixed to the replenishment
port 512 using a screw 503. A seal member 504 is provided between
the replenishment port 512 and the adapter 502 to secure
sealability of the portions concerned.
[0075] A block 508 to which a liquid level sensor 505, a suction
pipe 506 and an atmosphere opening pipe 507 are attached is fixed
to the sensor port 513 of the storage member 501 through screw
engagement of the lid 509.
[0076] The liquid level sensor 505 is made up of two metal rods,
the two rods are electrically continuous at a position at which the
liquid level of conductive ink is in contact with the two metal
rods, whereas the two rods are not electrically continuous at a
position at which the liquid level of the conductive ink is not in
contact with the two metal rods, and based on this principle, it is
possible to detect whether or not the liquid level has reached a
detection level 521 at a certain one point.
[0077] A terminal or the like with which a conductor engages is
fixed at the top of the two metal rods, and the conductor is
connected to the liquid level detection circuit 116.
[0078] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a liquid level control flow
of the ink sub container 202 in the inkjet recording device 100. In
step 401, it is confirmed, based on the detection level 521,
whether or not the liquid level sensor 505 provided in the ink sub
container 202 has detected the liquid level.
[0079] When the liquid level is not detected, this means that the
ink in the ink sub container is running short and an alarm is
displayed in step 402. The ink replenishment container connected to
the ink sub container at this time discharges substantially all the
ink stored therein into the ink sub container, and so the ink
replenishment container is substantially empty.
[0080] In FIG. 12, the drawing of the ink replenishment container
is omitted. An example of a state of connection between the ink
replenishment container and the ink sub container will be described
later. As an example of alarm display in step 402, an alarm lamp of
the state display lamp 5 is turned on, and an alarm mark and a
message displaying contents that the ink replenishment container
needs to be replaced by a new one within a prescribed time T are
shown on the operation display section 3.
[0081] The alarm lamp and the alarm mark are normally displayed all
the time until the alarm is canceled and the message can be erased
by the user's operation. Even when the alarm is displayed, the
inkjet recording device 100 can perform printing or operation as
usual.
[0082] When the liquid level is detected in step 401, the amount of
ink remaining in the ink sub container is sufficient, and so no
alarm is displayed.
[0083] It is confirmed in step 403 whether or not the prescribed
time T has passed since the liquid level was determined to be
undetected. When the prescribed time T has passed, it is assumed
that substantially no ink remains in the ink sub container
depending on the operating environment or printing frequency and if
printing is continued thereafter, there is a risk that air may be
absorbed into the ink path instead of ink, causing printing
disturbance, and therefore an abnormal state is displayed in step
406 and operation of the inkjet recording device 100 is
stopped.
[0084] If the prescribed time T has not passed, it is confirmed in
step 404 whether the liquid level has not been detected yet. If the
liquid level has not been detected in step 404, the flow returns to
step 403.
[0085] When the ink replenishment container is replaced by a new
one, the ink in the ink replenishment container is discharged into
the ink sub container, the liquid level in the ink sub container
increases, the liquid level sensor detects the liquid level based
on the detection level 521 and the flow proceeds to step 405.
[0086] In step 405, the alarm displayed in step 402 is canceled.
The liquid level control flow shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that of
the solvent sub container, and as an example of the alarm display
in step 402 when the liquid level sensor of the solvent sub
container does not detect the liquid level, a message with contents
showing that the solvent replenishment container needs to be
replaced by a new one within the prescribed time T is
displayed.
[0087] The detection level 521 is provided at a position above the
suction port 522 of the suction pipe 506 at a predetermined
distance therefrom. This increases by a certain amount the time
period after the amount of ink in the ink sub container 202
decreases due to printing during operation of the inkjet recording
device 100, the liquid level falls below the detection level 521
and an alarm is issued until it is no longer possible to suction
the ink, thus providing a time extension after the user recognizes
the occurrence of the alarm until replacing the ink replenishment
container 301.
[0088] A fluororesin tube is connected to an upper portion of the
suction pipe 506 through engagement, connected to the ink
circulation unit 261, and the path thereof is linked with the pump
211 via the electromagnetic valve 221. A fluororesin tube is
connected to an upper portion of the atmosphere opening pipe 507
through engagement, and the path thereof is linked with an
atmosphere outside the inkjet recording device 100, and when the
ink in the ink sub container is suctioned by the suction pipe 506,
air from the atmosphere opening pipe flows into the ink sub
container. Since the solvent stored in the solvent sub container
203 has no conductivity under normal circumstances, the solvent sub
container 203 uses a different type of liquid level sensor from the
ink sub container, but follows the same liquid level control flow
shown in FIG. 6 and adopts the same structure shown in FIG. 12
except the liquid level sensor. A float sensor or the like is used
as the liquid level sensor of the solvent sub container. A
structural diagram of the solvent sub container is omitted.
[0089] The adapter 502 is intended to be connected to the ink
replenishment container 301 and a connection state thereof will be
described later. The adapter 502 is provided with a cylindrical
portion 531, an upper part of which forms an acute angle shape 532
and an outer wall portion 533. Polypropylene resin, polybutylene
terephthalate resin or the like is used as the material of the
adapter 502.
[0090] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of
connection between the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink
sub container 202. FIG. 13(a) is an overall diagram and FIG. 13(b)
is a detailed diagram of the connection portion. The ink
replenishment container 301 is inserted into and connected to the
ink sub container 202 with the distal end portion 322 of the
storage member 311 placed face down.
[0091] The connection is made through engagement between the
ring-shaped protrusions 362 and 363 of the inside surface of the
through hole of the seal member 314 of the ink replenishment
container 301 and the outside surface of the cylindrical portion
531 of the adapter 502 of the ink sub container, and the thin wall
portion 341 of the stopper member 312 is broken through in a ring
shape by the acute angle shape 532 above the cylindrical portion of
the adapter during the connection leaving part of a connection
portion 541.
[0092] At this time, a portion 542 inside the thin wall portion of
the stopper member and broken through in a ring shape is pushed up
by the cylindrical portion 531 which is the portion projecting
above the base portion 333 of the stopper member and maintains a
state in which the inside of the cylindrical portion 531 of the
adapter which becomes a channel is not blocked.
[0093] The connection operation is the operation that the user
removes the second lid member 316 from the ink replenishment
container 301, then inserts the cylindrical portion 351 of the lid
member 313 of the ink replenishment container 301 so as to be
accommodated in the outer wall portion 533 of the adapter of the
ink sub container 202, and then pushes the ink replenishment
container 301 downward.
[0094] At this time, the outer wall portion 533 of the adapter of
the ink sub container 202 has an inner diameter greater than an
outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 351 of the lid member 313
of the ink replenishment container 301, but a difference
therebetween is as small as on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and on
the other hand, an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 531 of
the adapter is smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole
353 of the lid member 313, but a difference therebetween is as
small as on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 mm and the respective portions
play the role of guidance when inserting the ink replenishment
container 301 into the adapter.
[0095] When the ink replenishment container 301 is pushed in, a
certain degree of push-in force is necessary due to a frictional
force between the cylindrical portion 531 of the adapter of the ink
sub container 202 and the seal member 314 of the ink replenishment
container 301 and a force required for the acute angle portion 531
of the cylindrical portion 531 of the adapter to break through the
stopper member 312, but the ink replenishment container 301 can
also be pushed in by the above-described operation.
[0096] Although the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 531
of the adapter 502 is smaller than but substantially equal to the
inner diameter of the through hole 353 of the lid member 313 of the
ink replenishment container, and the inner diameter of the
ring-shaped protrusions 362 and 363 on the inside surface of the
seal member 314 is smaller than the outer diameter of the through
hole 353 of the lid member and the cylindrical portion 531 of the
adapter, whereby sealability of the portions concerned is secured
as described above.
[0097] That is, this means that when the ink replenishment
container 301 is connected to the ink sub container 202 and ink is
replenished thereto, the ink is sealed by a portion of the
ring-shaped protrusion 362 or 363 inside the ink replenishment
container and stays there, and the outer surface of the ink
replenishment container, for example, the outer surface 545 of the
base portion 352 of the lid member 313 in particular is not stained
by the ink, which allows the user to operate without the ink
staining the user's hand even when the user's hand touches a given
outer surface of the ink replenishment container when handling the
used ink replenishment container.
[0098] Here, the outside surface of the cylindrical portion 531 of
the adapter and the hole formed by the stopper member 312 being
broken through are engaged with each other, but they are not always
in tight contact with each other over the whole circumference, and
sealability of the portions concerned cannot be stably secured.
During the connection, the inside of the cylindrical portion 531 of
the adapter becomes a channel which allows the ink to flow from the
ink replenishment container to the ink sub container by its own
weight, and at the same time allows the air to flow from the ink
sub container to the ink replenishment container, thereby
compensating for the volume that reduces by the outflow of ink in
the ink replenishment container. In that case, if the inner
diameter of the cylindrical portion 531 of the adapter is small,
the ink may not drop off due to the action of surface tension or
the like, and so the inner diameter of the adapter is preferably
approximately 8 mm or more.
[0099] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the storage member 311
of the ink replenishment container 301 has a certain degree of
rigidity and the volume of the ink replenishment container 301
substantially does not change, and as another example, the storage
member 311 of the ink replenishment container may have small
rigidity, and may be easily deformed and reduced in volume by a
negative pressure generated when the ink therein flows by its own
weight and an external force by which the storage member 311 is
pressured and compressed.
[0100] The ink replenishment container 301 is connected to the ink
sub container 202, raised by the user after causing most of the ink
therein to flow out, and replaced with a new ink replenishment
container. When the ink replenishment container is raised, there is
a risk that a small amount of ink remaining in, for example, an
upper space 544 of the stopper member 312 or an upper space 545 of
the ring-shaped protrusion 362 of the seal member 314 may run along
the inner surface of the through hole of the seal member 314 and
flow out of the outer surface of the ink replenishment container,
but to cope with such a possibility, arranging the absorbing member
between the seal member 314 and the lid member 313 prevents the
outflow of the remaining ink.
[0101] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state
midway through the connection between the ink replenishment
container 301 and the ink sub container 202. The acute angle shape
532 of the cylindrical portion 531 of the adapter is not in contact
with the base portion 333 of the stopper member 312 and the outside
surface of the cylindrical portion 531 of the adapter is
continuously in contact with the ring-shaped protrusion 363 of the
seal member 314 along the circumference. Thus, sealability of the
portions concerned is secured even midway through the connection
between the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink sub
container 202.
Embodiment 2
[0102] FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment
container 301 according to Embodiment 2, FIG. 15(a) illustrating a
structure of the port of the ink replenishment container 301 and
FIG. 15(b) illustrating an example of a state of connection between
the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink sub container
202.
[0103] The ink replenishment container 301 is provided with a
storage member 311, a stopper member 312, a lid member 313, a seal
member 551, an absorbing member 552 and a second lid member 316.
The present embodiment has contents similar to those described
above regarding FIG. 1, and in this case, the seal member 314
corresponds to the seal member 551, and the absorbing member 315
corresponds to the absorbing member 552. In the present embodiment,
parts of the shapes of the seal member 314 and the absorbing member
315 are changed and the changed portions will be described.
[0104] An inner diameter of a through hole 361 of the absorbing
member 552 is smaller than an inner diameter of a through hole 353
of the lid member 313, and when the cylindrical portion 531 of the
adapter is inserted into the portion concerned through the
connection between the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink
sub container 202, there is a relationship that the outside surface
of the cylindrical portion of the adapter is in contact with the
inside surface of the through hole of the absorbing member.
[0105] Thus, in the process in which the ink replenishment
container 301 is raised from the ink sub container 202, even when
engagement having sealability between the seal member 551 and the
adapter cylindrical portion is disengaged and the aforementioned
small amount of ink remaining in the ink replenishment container
flows out onto the outer surface of the ink replenishment
container, it is possible to reliably catch the ink through the
absorbing member 552 and wipe away the ink adhered to the outside
surface above the cylindrical portion of the adapter by the
absorbing member 315 moving above the cylindrical portion while in
contact with the cylindrical portion of the adapter. The seal
member 551 has a circular concave portion 561 which is concentric
with the through hole 361 thereof and the circular concave portion
561 is disposed opposite to the absorbing member 552. An inner
diameter of the circular concave portion 561 is greater than an
inner diameter of the through hole 353 of the lid member 313, and
thus when the ink replenishment container 301 is connected to the
ink sub container 202, the adapter cylindrical portion thereby
comes into contact with the inner surface of the through hole of
the absorbing member as described above, a flipped portion 571 is
thereby generated in the absorbing member 552, but the flipped
portion 571 is accommodated in the circular concave portion 561 of
the seal member, preventing the flipped portion 571 from being
involved in the contacting portion between the adapter cylindrical
portion and the seal member. Regarding the method of fixing the
absorbing member 552, for example, the absorbing member 552 is
pushed in by the protrusion portion 562 provided in the seal member
551, a wedge-shaped engagement is formed and fixed. Note that the
structure shown in FIG. 15 and the aforementioned contents
regarding FIG. 15 are applicable to the solvent replenishment
container 302 as well.
[0106] As described above, the invention according to the present
embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of
reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the
ink or solvent.
Embodiment 3
[0107] FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment
container 301 according to Embodiment 3 and illustrates a structure
of the distal end portion in particular. The present embodiment has
a configuration and features similar to those of the ink
replenishment container 301 shown in FIG. 1 except the difference
in the stopper member 312 and the seal member 314, and the ink
replenishment container 301 in the present embodiment is provided
with a storage member 311, an elastic stopper member 601, a lid
member 313, an absorbing member 315, and a second lid member 316.
In FIG. 16, the second lid member is omitted.
[0108] The stopper member 601 is provided with a cylindrical
portion 611, a flange portion 612, and a base portion 613, and an
outside surface of the cylindrical portion 611 is continuously in
tight contact with an inside surface of the distal end portion 322
of the storage member 311 along the circumference to secure
sealability and the flange portion 612 is continuously in tight
contact with an end face of the distal end portion 322 of the
storage member 311 along the circumference to secure
sealability.
[0109] As the material of the stopper member 601, an elastic body
such as isobutylene-isoprene rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber is
used. The shape of the base portion 613 may be a flat shape or
concavo-convex shape. An inside surface of the cylindrical portion
611 of the stopper member 601 is provided with two ring-shaped
protrusions 621 and 622, which are formed concentrically with the
cylindrical portion 611. The ring-shaped protrusions 621 and 622
are disposed concentrically with the through hole 353 of the lid
member 313.
[0110] Here, the number of ring-shaped protrusions on the inside
surface is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more, or
there may be no protrusions. Inner diameters of the ring-shaped
protrusions 621 and 622 on the inside surface of the elastic
stopper member are smaller than the inner diameter of the through
hole 353 of the lid member, and effects thereof are the same as the
aforementioned contents regarding the seal member 314. The state of
connection with the ink sub container 202 is similar to the
structure shown in FIG. 13. The structure shown in FIG. 16 and the
aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 16 are applicable to the
solvent replenishment container 302 as well.
[0111] As describe above, the invention according to the present
embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of
reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the
ink or solvent.
Embodiment 4
[0112] FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment
container 301 according to Embodiment 4, FIG. 17(a) illustrating a
structure of a distal end portion of the ink replenishment
container 301 and FIG. 17(b) illustrating an example of a state of
connection between the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink
sub container 202.
[0113] The present embodiment has a configuration and features
similar to those of the ink replenishment container 301 shown in
FIG. 1 except the difference in the stopper member 312 and the seal
member 314, and the ink replenishment container 301 in the present
embodiment is provided with a storage member 311, a stopper member
651, a seal member 652, a lid member 313, an absorbing member 315,
and a second lid member 316. In FIG. 17, the second lid member is
omitted.
[0114] The stopper member 651 is, for example, disk-shaped and
fixed to the distal end portion 322 of the storage member 311 of
the ink replenishment container 301 through engagement. Examples of
the material used for the stopper member include low density
polyethylene resin and linear low density polyethylene resin.
[0115] The outside surface of the stopper member 651 is
continuously in contact with the inside surface of the distal end
portion 322 of the storage member 311 of the ink replenishment
container 301 along the circumference to thereby secure
sealability. Furthermore, engagement between the stopper member 651
and the storage member 311 can be disengaged by adding an external
force to the stopper member 651 in an axial direction. A seal
member 652 is provided between the stopper member 651 and the lid
member 313.
[0116] The seal member 652 has a cylindrical shape including a
through hole, an inside surface of which is provided with
ring-shaped protrusions 621 and 622, and the ring-shaped
protrusions 621 and 622 are formed concentrically with the
cylindrical shape of the seal member. The ring-shaped protrusions
621 and 622 are arranged concentrically with the through hole 353
of the lid member 313. Ring-shaped protrusions are formed on an
outside surface of the seal member and the ring-shaped protrusions
are continuously in tight contact with an inside surface of the
distal end portion 322 of the storage member 311 along the
circumference to thereby secure sealability.
[0117] The state of connection between the ink replenishment
container 301 and the ink sub container 202 shown in FIG. 17(b) is
a state in which the stopper member 651 is pushed up by a
cylindrical shape 681 provided in the adapter 671 of the ink sub
container 202, whereby engagement between the stopper member 651
and the storage member 311 of the ink replenishment container is
disengaged and the interior of the ink replenishment container
communicates with the interior of the ink sub container.
[0118] At this time, the stopper member 651 is not fixed and does
not depend on the position shown in FIG. 17(b). Here, even if the
stopper member 651 remains at the position shown in FIG. 17(b), the
cylindrical shape 681 of the adapter is provided with a slit 682,
providing a structure whereby the stopper member 651 that comes off
does not block the channel. Other contents of the present
embodiment are similar to the aforementioned contents regarding
FIG. 13 and will be omitted. The structure shown in FIG. 17 and the
aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 17 are applicable to the
solvent replenishment container 302 as well.
[0119] As described above, the invention according to the present
embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of
reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the
ink or solvent.
Embodiment 5
[0120] FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment
container 301 according to Embodiment 5, FIG. 18(a) illustrating a
structure of a distal end portion of the ink replenishment
container 301 and FIG. 18(b) illustrating an example of a state of
connection between the ink replenishment container 301 and the ink
sub container 202.
[0121] The present embodiment has a configuration and features
similar to those of the ink replenishment container 301 shown in
FIG. 1 except the difference in the stopper member 312 and the seal
member 314, and the ink replenishment container 301 in the present
embodiment is provided with a storage member 311, a first stopper
member 701, a second stopper member 702, a compression coil spring
703, a seal member 704, a lid member 313, an absorbing member 315,
and a second lid member 316. In FIG. 18, the second lid member is
omitted.
[0122] Low density polyethylene resin or linear low density
polyethylene resin is used as an example of the material of the
first stopper member 701, polypropylene resin, high density
polyethylene resin or polybutylene terephthalate resin is used for
the second stopper member 702, and stainless steel is used for the
compression coil spring 703.
[0123] The first stopper member 701 is provided with a cylindrical
portion 711 and a flange portion 712, securing sealability with the
distal end portion 322 of the storage member as in the case of the
aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 1. Furthermore, the first
stopper member 701 is provided with a guidance portion 713 and an
opening 714.
[0124] The second stopper member 702 is provided with a shaft
portion 721 and a valve portion 722, the shaft portion 721 engages
with the guidance portion 713 of the stopper member 701 in a manner
freely movable in the axial direction, the valve portion 722
receives a force of the compression coil spring 703, is pressed
against the seal member 704 placed inside the cylindrical portion
711 of the stopper member 701 and the portion concerned is
continuously in tight contact along the circumference to secure
sealability.
[0125] In the state of connection between the ink replenishment
container 301 and the ink sub container 202 shown in FIG. 18(b),
the second stopper member 702 is pushed up by the adapter 731 of
the ink sub container 202, the distance between the second stopper
member 702 and the seal member 704 is increased and the interior of
the ink replenishment container and the interior of the ink sub
container communicate with each other.
[0126] At this time, the valve portion 722 of the second stopper
member 702 is in close contact with the end face of the cylindrical
portion 681 of the adapter, but the cylindrical shape 681 of the
adapter is provided with a slit 682, providing a structure that
does not block the channel.
[0127] Other contents of the present embodiment are similar to the
aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 13, and are therefore
omitted. Moreover, the structure shown in FIG. 18 and the
aforementioned contents regarding FIG. 18 are applicable to the
solvent replenishment container 302 as well.
[0128] As described above, the invention according to the present
embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of
reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the
ink or solvent.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0129] 1 . . . body, 2 . . . ink discharge head, 3 . . . operation
display section, 4 . . . conduit, 5 . . . state display lamp, 6 . .
. maintenance door, 13 . . . printing target, 15 . . . belt
conveyor, 16 . . . encoder, 17 . . . printing sensor, 100 . . .
inkjet recording device, 101 . . . MPU, 102 . . . ROM, 103 . . .
RAM, 104 . . . input device, 105 . . . display device, 111 . . .
excitation voltage generation circuit, 112 . . . charging voltage
generation circuit, 113 . . . deflection voltage generation
circuit, 114 . . . electromagnetic valve control circuit, 115 . . .
pump control circuit, 116 . . . liquid level control circuit, 151 .
. . nozzle, 152 . . . excitation element, 153 . . . charging
electrode, 154 . . . deflection electrode, 161 . . . ink particles,
201 . . . ink container, 202 . . . ink sub container, 203 . . .
solvent sub container, 211, 212, 213, 214 . . . pump, 221, 222,
223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228 . . . electromagnetic valve, 229 . . .
three-way electromagnetic valve, 231 . . . filter, 232 . . .
decompression valve, 233 . . . pressure gauge, 234 . . . viscosity
meter, 241 . . . gutter, 251 . . . ink circulation area, 261 . . .
ink circulation unit, 301 . . . ink replenishment container, 302 .
. . solvent replenishment container, 311 . . . storage member, 312
. . . stopper member, 313 . . . lid member, 314 . . . seal member,
315 . . . absorbing member, 316 . . . second lid member, 321 . . .
storage chamber, 322 . . . port, 331 . . . cylindrical portion, 332
. . . flange portion, 333 . . . base portion, 341 . . . thin wall
portion, 351 . . . cylindrical portion, 352 . . . base portion, 353
. . . through hole, 354 . . . circle, 355 . . . portion along
circle, 356 . . . concaved portion, 361 . . . through hole, 362,
363 . . . ring-shaped protrusion, 364, 365 . . . ring-shaped
protrusion, 371 . . . inner diameter of through hole, 372, 373 . .
. inner diameter of ring-shaped protrusion, 381 . . . through hole,
382 . . . circle, 383 . . . concaved portion, 391 . . . cylindrical
portion, 392 . . . base portion, 393 . . . ring-shaped protrusion,
501 . . . storage member, 502 . . . adapter, 503 . . . screw, 504 .
. . seal member, 505 . . . liquid level sensor, 506 . . . suction
pipe, 507 . . . atmosphere opening pipe, 508 . . . block, 509 . . .
lid, 511 . . . storage portion, 512 . . . replenishment port, 513 .
. . sensor port, 521 . . . detection level, 522 . . . suction port,
531 . . . cylindrical portion, 532 . . . acute angle shape, 533 . .
. outer wall portion, 541 . . . connection portion, 543 . . .
broken portion, 544 . . . upper space of stopper member, 545 . . .
upper space of ring-shaped protrusion, 551 . . . seal member, 552 .
. . absorbing member, 561 . . . circular concave portion, 571 . . .
flipped portion, 601 . . . elastic stopper member, 611 . . .
cylindrical portion, 612 . . . flange portion, 613 . . . base
portion, 621, 622 . . . ring-shaped protrusion, 651 . . . stopper
member, 652 . . . seal member, 671 . . . adapter, 681 . . .
cylindrical shape, 682 . . . slit, 701 . . . stopper member, 702 .
. . second stopper member, 703 . . . compression coil spring, 704 .
. . seal member, 711 . . . cylindrical portion, 712 . . . flange
portion, 713 . . . guidance portion, 714 . . . opening, 721 . . .
shaft portion, 722 . . . valve portion
* * * * *